ASTM E0481-23 - Standard Practice for Measuring Neutron Fluence Rates by Radioactivation of Cobalt and Silver

1.1 This practice covers a suitable means of obtaining the thermal neutron fluence rate, or fluence, in nuclear reactor environments where the use of cadmium, as a thermal neutron shield as described in Test Method E262, is undesirable for reasons such as potential spectrum perturbations or due to temperatures above the melting point of cadmium.

1.2 The reaction ⁵⁹Co(n,γ )⁶⁰Co results in a well-defined gamma emitter having a half-life of 5.2711 years2 (8)3 (1).4 The reaction ¹⁰⁹Ag(n,γ)^110mAg results in a nuclide with a well-known, complex decay scheme with a half-life of 249.78 (2) days (1). Both cobalt and silver are available either in very pure form or alloyed with other metals such as aluminum. A reference source of cobalt in aluminum alloy to serve as a neutron fluence rate monitor wire standard is available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as Standard Reference Material (SRM) 953.5 The competing activities from neutron activation of other isotopes are eliminated, for the most part, by waiting for the short-lived products to die out before counting. With suitable techniques, thermal neutron fluence rate in the range from 10⁸ cm⁻²·s⁻¹ to 3 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻²·s⁻¹ can be measured. Two calculational practices are described in Section 9 for the determination of neutron fluence rates. The practice described in 9.3 may be used in all cases. This practice describes a means of measuring a Westcott neutron fluence rate in 9.2 (Note 1) by activation of cobalt- and silver-foil monitors (see Terminology E170). For the Wescott Neutron Fluence Convention method to be applicable, the measurement location must be well moderated and be well represented by a Maxwellian low-energy distribution and an (1/E) epithermal distribution. These conditions are usually only met in positions surrounded by hydrogenous moderator without nearby strongly multiplying or absorbing materials.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard, except in the case of nuclear data where the source referenced units are retained in order to preserve the integrity of the referenced uncertainty values.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.